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There’s so many beautiful places to camp out there that everyone’s got to experience, some even at no expense! We’re here to discuss how you can get out and have fun at free campsites. Yosemite is a widely known spot for great views, waterfalls, sequoias, and deep valleys. Today we are looking at sites around Yosemite that you and your crew can stay at free of charge!

South Fork Camp Ground

You’ll find this spot in Groveland California at 1500 feet of elevation. This site is low elevation and surrounded by beautiful pine and oak trees. The site is off of the Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River, next to Forest Route 1N01. Here, you can enjoy camp side fire pits and grills! The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis. Alongside the campfire pits and grills, consider bringing along a rocket stove for a reliable, compact cooking solution that works perfectly in rugged spots like Groveland. The Bulldog – 6 inch Rocket Stove is a standout option for its efficient heat output and portability, making it easy to cook meals or boil water without relying on a full campfire. With its sturdy design, the Bulldog is ideal for campsites where you want to keep things simple and eco-friendly, all while surrounded by the serene pine and oak of Groveland.

Upper Chiquito Campground

This site offers a more tranquil adventure in Bass Lake California. At 7000 feet of elevation, there are 20 campsites with vault restrooms, fire rings, and picnic tables. One unique element of this site is the granite swim holes found nearby. This site’s open season is July and is on a first come first serve basis.

Cherry Valley Campground

This campground is at an elevation of 5000 feet in Groveland, California. The site is on Cherry Valley Lake which offers hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming for campers. You’re also able to enjoy a campfire at these grounds with a permit. The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.

Big Springs Campground

In June Lake California, Big Springs Campground is up at 7300 feet of elevation. These grounds have 26 scenic sites in a forest or large and gorgeous pine trees. Your crew can spend their time fishing in Deadman creek, hiking in the Obsidian Dome, or take your off road vehicles for some mountain adventuring. The site is currently closed for storm damage but when it reopens expected in Spring, it will be on a first come first serve basis.

Redinger Campground

This campground is at 1500 feet of elevation and located next to Redinger Lake. It is in North Fork, California and offers swimming, fishing, and campfires with a permit. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful gray pine, chaparral and oak trees! The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.

Hartley Springs Campground

In June Lake, California, this campground sits at 8400 feet of elevation. This site is between June Mountain and Obsidian Dome. The campground offers 25 sites with minimal traffic compared to neighboring sites around June Lake. Hartley Springs additionally has easy access to the Obsidian Dome. Here you can explore Glass Creek, June Mountain or Wilson Butte. The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.

Glass Creek Campground

Also found in June Lake, California, Glass Creek Campground is up at 7700 feet of elevation. Fire rings, picnic tables, vault restrooms, and bear boxes are available for campers. North of Mammoth Lakes, Glass Creek accommodates 66 sites and is thus fairly busy. You can hike the Obsidian Dome as well as explore Owens River. The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.

Wherever you choose to explore, enjoying your next camping experience free of charge is something you can’t pass up! You & your crew are bound to love these scenic grounds encompassing Yosemite National Park!

Have a great trip, and please adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace.

One of our favorite activities for night time while camping is stargazing. You’re far away from light pollution so the stars will give you the best show! There’s plenty of events in the next couple months, not to mention eclipses seen during the day, and new & full moons. Meteor showers occur throughout the night, over several days, so you’re sure to see a beautiful shower while you’re out adventuring.

October 20–21 2022 | Orionid Meteor Shower

The Orionid shower showcases up to 20 meteors in an hour. The dust grains are left behind by comet Halley, which has been observed since ancient years. Although its peak is October 20th to 21st, the shower runs annually from October 2nd to November 7th. The moon will be thin, giving off little light for the show, which is best viewed after midnight.

November 4 & 5| Taurids Meteor Shower

The Taurids meteor shower produces about 5-10 an hour. One stream of the shower is dust left by Asteroid 2004 TG10, and the second is debris from Comet 2P Encke. This meteor shower occurs each year from September 7th to December 10th, peaking on the night of November 4th. Due to this year’s full moon, you can see a few good ones just after midnight far away from any cities.

November 17 & 18| Leonids Meteor Shower

The Leonids shower produces up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak. This unique shower has a cycle of 33 years where a peak producing hundreds of meteors in an hour will occur. Although the last one occurred in 2001, this annual shower is from November 6th to 30th, peaking on the 17th. The fainter meteors will not be able to be seen due to the moonlight, but there is potential for a good show after midnight anywhere in the sky.

December 8| Mars at Opposition

The 4th planet will be closest to Earth on December 8th and fully illuminated by the sun. It will be visible all night long and brighter than any other time of the year. A medium sized telescope will be the best way to see details of the planet’s surface.

December 13 & 14 2022| Geminid Meteor Shower

The Geminids is considered the best shower producing many meteors that are also multicolored. At its peak, you can see 120 multicolored meteors per hour. The dust is produced from Asteroid 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1982. The shower annually occurs from December 7th to 17th and peaks on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The Geminids are bright and large so the waning gibbous moon will not block the entire shower, but the best viewing is after midnight.

December 21| Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation.

The closest planet to the sun will reach an eastern elongation of 20.1 degrees from the Sun, putting it at the highest point above the horizon in the evening. Look for the planet in the western sky after sunset.

December 22 & 23 2022| Ursid Meteor Shower

The Ursidis is a smaller meteor shower showcasing roughly 5-10 meteors per hour. Its dust grains are left by the comet Tuttle, discovered in 1790. The shower occurs annually from December 17th to 25th. It peaks on the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. This year the shower occurs under a new moon, making the night darker for a good show.

January 3 & 4 2023| Quadrantids Meteor Shower

At its peak on the night of the third, this meteor shower can show 40 meteors in one hour. Meteors have been left by comet 2003 EH1, discovered in 2003. The shower peaks on the night of the 3rd but runs from the 1st to the 5th. The best viewing is after midnight and is best seen far from light pollution.

January 30 2023| Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation

The first planet reaches western elongation at 25 degrees from the sun. The best time to view mercury is right before sunrise, it will be at its highest point adobe the horizon in the eastern sky.

Have a great trip, and please adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace.

Have a great trip, and please adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace.

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